Customer Reviews

The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Beacon Theatre

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

An excellent live concert release from one of the original jam bands. Here The Allman Brothers Band present an uncut 2 Hour and 48 minute concert recorded in March 2003 at The Beacon Theater in New York. Although a few Allman Brothers classics like Ramblin Man, Jessica, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, and Revival are not here they are included on other video releases and what is included here is excellent and worthy of 5 stars. The 5.1 sound and video quality are excellent and the band is as tight as they have ever been. This version of the Allman Brothers Band (Founding members Gregg Allman, Jaimoe, and Butch Trucks, along with longtime band members Warren Haynes, Marc Quinones, and Oteil Burbridge, and more recent addition Derek Trucks doing a good job filling Dickie Betts' shoes) seem to be really enjoying themselves on stage and it comes through in the quality of the music.

Besides the concert, the double DVD release also includes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes of interviews and behind the scenes footage. There is a also a very good dressing room performance of Old Friend by Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks along with a photo gallery and discography.

Here is the Track Listing:

1. Ain't Wastin' Time No More
2. Black Hearted Woman
3. Statesboro Blues
4. Woman Across The River
5. A Change Is Gonna Come
6. Maydell
7. Come & Go Blues
8. Rockin' Horse
9. Desdemona
10. Don't Keep Me Wondering
11. Midnight Rider
12. Soulshine
13. High Cost Of Low Living
14. Leave My Blues At Home
15. Old Before My Time
16. The Same Thing
17. Melissa
18. Instrumental Illness
19. Worried Down With The Blues
20. Dreams
21. Whippin' Post
22. One Way Out

Then you've got to buy this DVD. I grew up listening to the Fillmore album for years, and actually owned it initially in 8 track format (that shows my age). I've followed the Allman Brothers through the years and I've never felt that they returned to the magic they had after Duane tragically died. However after watching the DVD I have no doubt that the magic is back.
I always cringe when people refer the Brothers as a "jam band" because most of the modern so called "jam bands" seem to mindlessly riff and wear out the same pentatonic scale in different keys. Duane Allman was a genius and I never thought I would hear a player that could match him in this format. With this lineup the band has returned to form with a skill and mastery of the blues that is phenominal.
From the start it's clear that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are a spectacular pair of guitar players. Trucks seems to prefer slide and plays with a reckless abandon that stunned me. Haynes is a more traditional lead player but has an absolute mastery of the techniques and skills necessay to be a great player. The band weaves in and out of songs from their early albums in the 70's to material from their most recent CD "Hittin The Note". Quite frankly I think this band is even better than the original lineup.
I would say I was slightly disappointed with the video, but I enjoyed the audio mix, especially the way they brought Greg's keyboard into the sound.
These guys can play, and for an old fan like me this was an absolutely wonderful experience.

Having recently seen ABB at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix I can attest to the fact that this is as close to an actual show you can find without being there. As for the setlist, it is indicative of the sets they have played on their entire tour. The mixture of their older songs, along with the newest additions prove that the Brothers are as vital and strong as ever. If you need proof of who is the greatest white blues singer ever, just listen to Gregg singing Old Before My Time or High Cost of Low Living. The interplay by the two guitarists show where the energy and inspiration the band has found has come from. From the young in years but mature in talent slide playing of Derek Trucks, to the incredible song writing and playing of Warren Haynes shows why he was the person that the band brought in to replace Dickie Betts. But all of this, along with Gregg's soulful keyboards, is anchored by two drummers and a percussionist who lay down a thunderous wall of sound you could walk on. With their latest CD providing a fertile field of new ABB classics, plus the classic ABB songs on this DVD you can immerse yourself in an incredible musical experience. So if couldn't make any shows on this tour this DVD will give you a sample of the beauty and power of the Brothers live, and if did see them you can relive the experience. This one rocks.

After reading some of the negative reviews about this DVD,
it only shows me how shallow those people are. The band was about to go defunct. It was either Dickey goes or the band breaks up.
A do or die situtation if you will. Now as fate has it, the band has taken another turn in the pages of history and has become full again. The current lineup is as good as it gets, period.
Everyone is having a good time and enjoying playing again.
Dickey was just dragging them into the ground. His attitude was making it tasking to play. It just wasn't fun anymore.
With that said, This DVD is simply amazing. The audio and video quality is superb. Three full hours of brilliant music and a most interesting candid interview with the band. This makes this package a must for old and new ABB fans alike. I own countless concert DVD's and this is the one I always go back to and watch over and over again. Don't hesitate to buy this truly classic DVD. You'll be mighty glad you did.

i own only two albums of the allman bros - eat a peach and live at filmore. so i cannot say that i knew too many songs from this set.

but the guitar work on this dvd is something else. especially warren haynes who alternates between his gibson les paul and gibson es-335 - he plays such inspired solos. very bluesy.

derek trucks who pretty much sticks to his gibson sg 61 reissue, is highly talented, plays a wicked slide and clearly inspired more by jazz than the blues - but imo is a step below haynes.

but their chemistry and jams/duels doesn't in anyway shame the original famed twin guitar attack of duane allman and dicky betts.

loved this show!

but the audio quality of my dvd is poor. wonder if it is a lone manufacturing flaw as others dont seem to suffer from the same problem.

if you like the allmans, the blues or the electric guitar, get this!

It doesn't get any better than this for a long time ABB fan like myself (since 1970). Sure, I was one of those "purists" who gave up on the band when they fired original member Dickey Betts, but not after viewing "The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Beacon Theater". This is the most cohesive lineup they've had since their leader and architect of their original sound, Duane Allman, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971. What stands out here is the good natured, sober professionalism displayed by ALL of the members of the band. They smile at each other when one of the band reaches the heights of a particularly well done solo. Gregg Allman asks the audience, "How we doing, huh?" and they answer with a loud, positive roar. The new songs sound great and the fire still burns hot on older numbers like "Don't Keep Me Wondering" and "Black Hearted Woman". The sound and picture quality are excellent, and I have never seen a concert film so well produced. Great care is taken to show the right musician at the right time. A good time is had by all. Don't forget to check out the companion CD "The Allman Brothers Band - One Way Out". Great stuff.

I was stunned and disappointed by the band's lackluster and uninspired performance on the 2000 "Peakin' At The Beacon" CD, and at the time attributed it to the departure of Warren Haynes and the arrival of Derek Trucks. Three years later and Warren's back, Derek's still around, and this edition of the band does indeed smoke. You'll find many not-so-thinly veiled references in the interview segments to the less-than-friendly split with Dickey Betts and the revitalized, "best since the Duane days" nature of the band since his departure. It's been an up and down road for the ABB but I think that true fans have stuck around regardless of the group squabbles and occasionally sub-standard albums...all that matters in the present is that this is one of the finest bands in the history of good old AMERICAN rock & roll, they all seem to be inspired and happy in each other's company, they're giving the fans their money's worth (and more), and how are you gonna argue with that? Stop reading the reviews and buy it already...also pick up Gov't Mule's latest "Deepest End" to see Warren jamming with Jack Casady on "Voodoo Chile" on the DVD portion. Gregg may be clean and sober and singing on key, but Warren has been the "blood, sweat and tears" of ABB for YEARS.

I read Phil Cummings thoughful review and did as he suggested and went to see AAB last night in KC...the guitar playing was totally incredible!!!...I watched this DVD both before and after seeing the show last night and have to agree totally that this is an incredible incarnation of AAB!!!...a measure of how masterful both Waren Hayes and Derek Trucks are is that they both play in other bands and still manage to come together and bring guitar magic to AAB!!!...they are among the best guitar players of the ages...and what can you say about Greg Allman...he is simply one of the best blues singers of all time...a grand master!!!...the drumming is incredible...to play on top of the drums and bass must be like dancing on a volcanoe!!!...and the bass playing of Oteil is extraordinary...check out the six string bass!!!...in conclusion...this DVD is as good as any I have seen and the audio is exceptional!!!...BUY THIS DVD!!!

I am so pleased with the bros new sound. Don't get me wrong, Dickey is a great guitarist, but I think his influence on the bands music made them sound like a pop band in recent years. This new line-up gets back to what the Allmans are all about, Great jammin', southern blues influenced guitar rock. Warren is a master, and Derek can play with the best. The rest of the band is as sound as ever, and Greg's vocals sound awesome. This is the best the Allman bros have been since Brothers and Sisters.

This DVD has really taken me by suprise. With the return of Warren Haynes I expected magic however I would not have expected that this band seems to be performing at levels not seen since the 70's. My biggest reservation was the inclution yet again of Derek Trucks. This was because of the peakin at the Beakin CD which was a very lack luster performance. I'm now sure this is a very unfair observation as Trucks Jnr plays some of the most stagering solo's ever to be filmed for DVD, even giving Mr Haynes a run for his money. (I think some of Derek Trucks CD's will be finding their way into my collection.)
With the inclustion once again of Otel Burbridge on Bass and offcourse the perenial Trucks, Jaimo, Quinones and Mr Allman himself this DVD is worth every cent. Do not think the 5 star rating is a hollow one from a rabid Fan. This is Rock at it's finest. Art.